PHI FOOD BANK SPECIALIST

The Puerto Rican Cultural Center; Chicago (IL); Hybrid; USD 40,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

A community-based organization in Chicago is seeking a PHI Food Bank Specialist responsible for outreach connecting clients with their food bank services. The role involves providing assessments for eligibility and assisting with program referrals, while ensuring strong interpersonal communication. Candidates should have a high school diploma, at least two years of relevant experience, and preferably bilingual skills in Spanish and English. This full-time position offers flexible working hours to meet community needs.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 2 years’ experience with community-based organizations preferred.
• Sensitivity to issues regarding HIV, gender identity, ethnicity, and language.
• Knowledge of HIPAA laws and regulations.

Responsibilities

• Conduct outreach to connect clients with the food bank.
• Provide pre-screening for eligibility and application assistance.
• Refer clients to supportive care services and community resources.
• Assist in community program promotion and outreach activities.
• Schedule and conduct educational sessions on healthy living.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Ability to work with sensitivity to cultural diversity

Bilingual communication (Spanish and English)

Presentation delivery

Education

High school diploma or GED

Job description

Founded in 1973, The Puerto Rican Cultural Center (PRCC) is a non‑profit, community‑based umbrella institution that seeks to serve the socio‑cultural needs of Chicago’s Puerto Rican and Latino community. It is built on the following principles: a philosophy of self‑determination, a methodology of self‑actualization and critical thought, and an ethics of self‑reliance best expressed in the motto, “To live and help to live.”

This position requires compliance with The PRCC's Employee Handbook, including its Standards of Conduct, all policies and procedures, and Regulatory Compliance requirements. Compliance will be considered as part of the regular performance evaluation.

Summary

The PHI Food Bank Specialist is responsible for conducting outreach to connect clients with the food bank of the Public Health Initiatives (PHI) of the PRCC. The PHI Food Bank Specialist will conduct direct‑client services, provide assessments for eligibility, assessment of targeted populations for nutritional supplements, and provide program referrals and services for physical activity and nutrition education. This position requires strong interpersonal skills to regularly interact professionally, promptly, and courteously with clients, service providers, and their office personnel. Position is full‑time, contingent upon grant funding. Working hours are flexible, including evenings and weekends to meet the needs of the target population.

Requirements

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Plays a key role in the engagement and recruitment of the participants/clients for the food bank program.
• Provides pre‑screening for eligibility and application assistance to clients.
• Serves as a resource to guide community members to other resources if they do not qualify for the PHI food bank program.
• Refer clients to appropriate supportive care services and available community resources.
• Maintains up‑to‑date inventory of food supplies on site.
• Assists in street and community program promotion and outreach activities.
• Provides educational and resource information to engage potential clients in PHI programs.
• Provides referrals for HIV, STI, HCV, and syphilis testing on‑site and off‑site.
• Assists in the development of physical activity program activities.
• Schedules and conducts educational sessions on skill‑building and healthy living.
• Completes required program paperwork and documentation according to program policies and procedures with great attention to detail.
• Engages in outreach activities as needed to identify and recruit clients.
• Reports to supervisor on weekly progress and communicates with supervisor to evaluate strategies and performance.
• Maintains client confidentiality and complies with any Federal, State, and City regulations as well as Vida/SIDA security and privacy policies intended to protect the security and privacy of individually identifiable health information.
• Attends the PRCC and program‑specific and organizational activities and meetings, including but not limited to the monthly organization‑wide General Assembly.
• Participates in organizational annual events, including but not limited to:
• Los Reyes Magos (January 6)
• The Puerto Rican People’s Day Parade (Mid‑June)
• Fiesta Boricua (Labor Day weekend, end of August)
• Haunted Paseo Boricua (October 31)
• Performs other duties as required.

Key Interrelationships

• ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR/PROGRAM COORDINATORS
• ALL PROGRAM STAFF
• COMMUNITY PARTNERS/MOU

Working Conditions

OSHA Category 3 – Involves no regular exposure to blood, body fluids, or tissues, and tasks that involve exposure to blood, body fluids, or tissues are not a condition of employment.

Qualifications, Skills, and Abilities

• High school diploma or GED
• Minimum of 2 years’ experience (preferably with the target population and/or community‑based organization)
• Sensitivity to HIV issues, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, ethnicity, and language diversity.
• Ability to effectively deliver oral and written presentations.
• Ability to adapt to varying work environments, including but not limited to weather‑related conditions.
• Ability to work with sensitivity to cultural, ethnic, and sexual diversity.
• Flexible and able to consistently work days, nights, and weekends; can work in an ambiguous, fast‑moving environment. At times, this position requires additional work time beyond scheduled hours.
• Knowledge of/or ability to learn HIPAA laws. HIPAA is the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996. The primary goal of the law is to make it easier for people to keep health insurance, protect the confidentiality, and security of healthcare information.
• Have own car, fully insured, and valid driver's license.

Preferred

• Bilingual-verbal, reading, and writing (Spanish and English)
• Certified to facilitate HIV counseling and testing services
• Experience providing HIV counseling and testing